January 30, 2022 - Matthew 5:4

My [[music]] [[music]] [[music]] is, is, is [[music]]. There is no one like You. There is no one like You. There is no one like You. There is none. There is none. There is none beside You. Open up my you eyes. [[music]] [[music]] [[music]] [[music]]. I will put my trust in You. I will put my trust in You. I will put my trust in You alone, alone, alone. And I, and I, and I will not be shaking, will not be shaking, will not be shaking. [[music]] Amen, amen, amen.

Man, it is good to have the whole band. Man, it is good to have the whole band. Man, it is good to have the whole band back, back, back. It's good to have everybody back. It's good to have everybody back. It's good to have everybody back. And, um, and, um, and, um, man, man, man, transition. Some of you guys who are back, transition. Some of you guys who are back, transition. Some of you guys who are back are preschoolers so it's time for the are preschoolers so it's time for the are preschoolers, so it's time for the preschooler time.

You know what to do. And preschooler time, you know what to do. And preschooler time, you know what to do. And if you don't, just go on with the stream. If you don't, just go on with the stream. If you don't, just go on with the stream of children who are walking around the of children who are walking around the of children who are walking around the back. And Miss Kerry is over there. Looks back. And Miss Kerry is over there. Looks back. And Miss Kerry is over there.

Looks like you guys are going to have a good like you guys are going to have a good like you guys are going to have a good time with the preschool lesson. Time with the preschool lesson. Time with the preschool lesson. And the rest of us are going to be in and the rest of us are going to be in And the rest of us are going to be in Matthew chapter 5. Matthew chapter 5. Matthew chapter 5. Because we're learning about the, because we're learning about the, because we're learning about the Beatitudes.

Beatitudes. Beatitudes. The Beatitudes. The Beatitudes. The Beatitudes. You may remember are the... Very first part you may remember are the very first part you may remember are the very first part of the famous sermon on the mount of the famous sermon on the mount of the famous sermon on the mount and it's the part where jesus was and it's the part where jesus was and it's the part where jesus was teaching his disciples teaching his disciples teaching his disciples what disciples are supposed to be like what disciples are supposed to be like what disciples are supposed to be like and so today we're going to look at.

The and so today we're going to look at. The and So, today we're going to look at the second beatitude which is in matthew 5 second beatitude which is in matthew 5 second beatitude which is in matthew 5 verse 4 verse 4 verse 4 Jesus said, jesus said jesus said blessed are those who mourn blessed are those who mourn blessed are those who mourn for they shall for they shall for “They shall be comforted,” be comforted be comforted so this week i want to start with the so this week i want to start with the so this week i want to start with the what's sometimes called the reward or what's sometimes called the reward or what's sometimes called the reward or the promise.

Clause it occurs at the end the promise clause it occurs at the end the promise clause it occurs at the end it's that That second part it's that that second part it's that that second part they shall be comforted that is they shall be comforted that is they shall be comforted that is definitely definitely definitely a future tense word a future tense word a future tense word uh it means that something is going to uh it means that Something is going to uh it means That something.

Is going to happen in the future from the time of happen in the future from the time of happen in the future from the time of the speaking it's also a passive verb the speaking it's also a passive verb the speaking it's also a passive verb meaning that something is going to meaning that something is going to meaning that something is going to happen to a person not that the person happen to a person not that the Person happen to a person. Not that the person who mourns is going to do anything.

Who mourns is going to do anything. Who mourns is going to do anything. God is the one who is going to act. This God is the one who is going to act. This God is the one who is going to act. This is known as a divine passive. God is the is known as a divine passive. God is the is known as a divine passive. God is the one who will bring this condition about. One who will bring this condition about. One who will bring this condition about.

Now i'm pointing that out because this. Now i'm pointing that out because this. Now i'm pointing that out because this future orientation of this beatitude is. Future orientation of this beatitude is. Future orientation of this beatitude is different from what I said last week. Different from what I said last week. Different from what I said last week when I made a big deal about how the. When I made a big deal about how the. When I made a big deal about how the kingdom was a present reality for the.

Kingdom was a present reality for the. Kingdom was a present reality for the disciples of Jesus. How the kingdom of. Disciples of Jesus. How the kingdom of. Disciples of Jesus. How the kingdom of heaven was something that we're supposed. Heaven was something that we're supposed. Heaven was something that we're supposed to deal with right now.

And so how do we. To deal with right now. And so how do we. To deal with right now. And so how do we understand the difference just in the. Understand the difference just in the. Understand the difference just in the span of two verses here is the kingdom. Span of two verses here is the kingdom. Span of two verses here is the kingdom now. Now. Now. Or are the benefits of the kingdom. Or are the benefits of the kingdom. Or are the benefits of the kingdom in the future?

In the future. In the future? Well, the answer is. Well, the answer is. Well, the answer is yes. Yes. Yes. But it's going to take me a few minutes. But it's going to take me a few minutes. But it's going to take me a. Few minutes to explain to explain to explain imagine if you will something that imagine if you will something that imagine if you will something that probably has never never happened in any probably has never never happened in any probably has never never happened in any other house but imagine if you will other house but imagine if you will other house but imagine if you will if i wanted my boys to clean their rooms if i wanted my boys to clean their rooms if i wanted my boys to clean their rooms a winning plan so i might say to a winning plan so i might say to a winning plan so i might say to them guys them guys them guys clean your rooms clean your rooms clean your rooms you know i'm planning for us to get ice you know i'm planning for us to get ice you know i'm planning for us to get ice cream after.

Dinner tonight cream after dinner tonight cream after, dinner tonight we can go get ice!" cream we can go get ice cream we can go get ice cream but I want, You to clean your rooms but I want you to clean, your rooms but i want you to clean your rooms well everyone understands what that well everyone understands what that well everyone understands what that means everyone understands what i would means everyone understands what i would means everyone understands what i would be saying. Be saying be saying everyone that is except for scheming everyone that is except for scheming everyone that is except for scheming little boys with dirty rooms who want little boys with dirty rooms who want little boys with dirty rooms who want ice cream, ice cream ice cream that actually happened that actually happened that actually happened this exact scenario this exact scenario this exact scenario actually happened once and guess what my actually happened once and guess what my actually.

Happened once and guess what my boys did not clean their rooms boys did not clean their rooms boys did not clean their rooms and so what did i say and so what did i say and so what did i say i said well we're not going to go get i said well we're not going to go get i said well we're not going to go Get ice cream, ice cream, ice cream. And what did they say? And what did they say? And what did they say?

What, what, what? You said we were going to ice cream, and you said we were going to ice cream, and you said we were going to ice cream. And they quoted my exact words back to me. They quoted my exact words back to me. They quoted my exact words back to me. This is just not fair. This is just not fair. This is just not fair. I said no. I said if you cleaned your— I said no. I said if you cleaned your— I said no.

I said if you cleaned your rooms, rooms, rooms, then we were going to go get ice cream. Then we were going to go get ice cream. Then we were going to go get ice cream. And, uh, the smartest among the bunch said— and, uh, the smartest among the bunch said— and, uh, the smartest among the bunch said— you never said if. You never said if. You never said if. I have a transcript right here, and they— I have a transcript right here, and they— I have a transcript right here, and they said no, no, that's not the way that it— said no, no, that's not the way that it— said no, no, that's not the way that it works, works, works.

We all know what is being said. Here's— we all know what is being said. Here's— we all know what is being said. Here's the thing, the thing, the thing. When a person says— when a person says— when a person says the same thing, the same thing, the same thing before, before, before and after, and after, and after, then they are establishing the context. Then they are establishing the context. Then they are establishing the context in which everything in the middle should— in which everything in the middle should— in which everything in the middle should be understood, be understood, be understood.

Everyone knows that that is— that that is— everyone knows that that is— that that is— everyone knows that that is— that that is how that works. Scholars have a word for how that works. Scholars have a word for how that works. Scholars have a word for this. They call it an inclusio. This they call It an inclusio. This they call it an inclusio. It's the same statement at the beginning. It's the same statement at the beginning. It's the same statement at the beginning and at the end can help us to understand.

And at the end can help us to understand. And at the end can help us to understand the whole thing. The whole thing. The whole thing. Now, uh, that's fine if you remember the now uh that's fine if you remember the now uh that's fine if you remember the word inclusio. I just like to call it a word inclusio i just like to call it a word inclusio i just like to call it a sandwich. That makes more sense to me. And sandwich that makes more sense to me.

And sandwich that makes more sense to me. And we've seen that rhetorical technique we've seen that rhetorical technique we've seen that rhetorical technique used a lot in the Bible. Think about a used a lot in the bible think about a used a lot in the bible think about a great sandwich you can't just smash any great sandwich you can't just smash any great sandwich. You can't just smash any old thing together. The bread affects how old thing together the bread affects how old thing together the bread affects how the inside tastes.

And of course, the the inside tastes and of course the the inside tastes and of course the ingredients inside ingredients inside ingredients inside lend flavor to whatever is wrapped lend flavor. To whatever is wrapped lend flavor to whatever is wrapped around it the thing about a around it the thing about a around it the thing about a you need both. You need the inside and you need both you need the inside and you need both you need the inside and the outside to get the whole flavor of the outside to get the whole flavor of the outside to get the whole flavor of it all it all it all.

Keep your lettuce wraps; they're keep your lettuce wraps they're keep your lettuce wraps they're disgusting. You got to have the bread disgusting you got to have the bread disgusting you got to have the bread around the stuff around the stuff around the stuff. That's what makes a sandwich.

So the Beatitudes, right? These eight... So the Beatitudes right these eight so The Beatitudes, right? These eight things, they begin things they begin things they begin and they end and they end and they end with, with with for theirs is the kingdom of god the for theirs is the kingdom of god the "For theirs is the kingdom of God." The first one, "For theirs is the kingdom of first one for theirs is the kingdom of first one for theirs is the kingdom of god the last one for theirs is the god the last one for theirs is the God."

The last one, "For theirs is the kingdom of God." that's like the bread kingdom of god that's like the bread kingdom of god that's like the bread that's like the bread and then in the that's like the bread and then in the that's like the bread. And then in the middle are a lot of promises that Jesus middle are a lot of promises that jesus middle are a lot of promises that jesus is making as god's messiah is making as god's messiah is making as god's Messiah.

And those are the ingredients. And those are the ingredients and those are the ingredients So, so so when you take the whole thing when you take the whole thing when you take the whole thing, Jesus is saying that his disciples are jesus is saying that his disciples are jesus is saying that his disciples are right now right now right now part of the kingdom of heaven and so part of the kingdom of heaven and so part of the kingdom of heaven. And so, right now, there should be some things right now there should be some things right now there should be some things that are true about them that are true about them that are true about them based on based on based on the promises of God for the future.

The promises of god for the future the promises of god for the future you need you need you need both both both you need both to get the impact of the you need both to get the impact of the You need both to get the impact of the whole thing: whole thing whole thing the flavor of living as the people of the... Flavor of living as the people of the flavor of living as The people of the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of God.

And so the answer is, and so the answer is, and so the answer is yes, yes, yes. The answer is yes. The Kingdom is now. The answer is yes. The Kingdom is now. The answer is yes. The Kingdom is now in the disciples because of the, in the disciples because of the, in the disciples because of the certainty, certainty, certainty of the kingdom's future, of the kingdom's future, of the kingdom's future in the world, in the world, in the world. And this is referred to sometimes as, and this is referred to sometimes as, and this is referred to sometimes as already, already, already not yet, not yet, not yet.

Already not yet, that's a phrase that, already not yet, that's a phrase that, already not yet, that's a phrase that comes up a lot. And that's one i'd like, comes up a lot. And that's one i'd like, comes up a lot. And that's one i'd like you to remember: already not yet. The, you to remember: already not yet. The, you to remember: already not yet. The Kingdom is already here, Kingdom is already here, Kingdom is already here, but we are not yet experiencing all the, but we are not yet experiencing all the, but we are not yet experiencing all the fullness of it, fullness of it, fullness of it.

Now, I know that can sound a little, now I know that can sound a little, now I know that can sound a little strange, but remember that God exists, strange, but remember that God exists, strange, but remember that God exists. God exists outside, God exists outside, God exists outside, outside of creation and the constraints, outside of creation and the constraints, outside of creation and the constraints of time. He's not bound by those things, of time. He's not bound by those things, of time. He's not bound by those things.

And so we shouldn't, we shouldn't be, and so we shouldn't, we shouldn't be, and so we shouldn't, we shouldn't be surprised that that God can speak, surprised that that God can speak, surprised that that God can speak simultaneously, simultaneously, simultaneously about things that to us, about things that to us, about things that to us seem both present and future. Seem both Present and future seem both present and future. We shouldn't be surprised by that. Now, I we shouldn't be surprised by that now i we shouldn't be surprised by that now i can't do that can't do that can't do that i can't do that i am bound by time but i can't do that i am bound by time but i can't do that.

I am bound by time, but he can do that. He can do that he can do that and so we should respond with worship and so we should respond with worship And so we should respond with worship and wonder and wonder and wonder when he reveals such marvelous and when he reveals such marvelous and when he reveals such marvelous and majestic things to us. Majestic things to us majestic things to us our inability to understand these things our inability to understand these things Our inability to understand these things, that's why we need Jesus.

That's why we need jesus that's why we need jesus it's why jesus was a teacher it's why jesus was a teacher it's why Jesus was a teacher who made disciples. Who made disciples who made disciples it's why we teach one another it's why we teach one another it's why we teach one another. That's why we teach others. And one of the things that jesus teaches and one of the things that jesus teaches and One of the things that Jesus teaches his disciples his disciples his disciples is that god is that god is that God will, will will in fact, in fact in fact be our comfort be our comfort be our comfort.

And so Jesus puts our comfort in the and so jesus puts our comfort in the and so jesus puts our comfort in the future tense. Future tense future tense blessed are those who mourn for they blessed are those who mourn for they Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Shall be comforted shall be comforted we we we we are his disciples and that is the we are his disciples and that is the We are his disciples, and that is the blessed life. Blessed life blessed life but there is going to be suffering right but there is going to be suffering right But there is going to be suffering right now.

Now now That we must endure as well. That we must endure as well. That we must endure as well. There's going to be a house of mourning. There's going to be a house of mourning. There's going to be a house of mourning for us. For us. For us. And it happens in lots of different ways. And it happens in lots of different ways. And it happens in lots of different ways. Jesus himself showed us that this would jesus himself showed us that this would jesus himself showed us that this would be the case just even in his own life be the case just even in his own life be the case, just even in his own life.

Did he not? He was homeless. Did he not? He was homeless. Did he not? He was homeless. His family thought he was insane. His family thought he was insane. His family thought he was insane. He was nationally recognized as a threat. He was nationally recognized as a threat. He was nationally recognized as a threat to civil society. To civil society. To civil society. He was betrayed despised and rejected by he was betrayed despised and rejected by He was betrayed, despised, and rejected by those he loved.

Those he loved. Those he loved. He was killed. He was killed. He was killed for proclaiming the truth about God. And Jesus said, and jesus said and jesus said a disciple a disciple a disciple is not above his teacher. Is not above his teacher is not above his teacher He also said, he also said he also said in the world in the world in the world you will you will you will have tribulation have tribulation have tribulation. Following Jesus does not mean that following jesus does not mean that following jesus does not mean that everything in life just becomes perfect.

Everything in life just becomes perfect. Everything in life just becomes perfect. We're still in these bodies. We're still in these bodies. We're still in these bodies. We're still in this broken world. We're still in this broken world. We're still in this broken world. We're still surrounded by sin and we're still surrounded by sin and we're still surrounded by sin and sinners, with with all of the spiritual sinners with with all of the spiritual sinners with with all of the spiritual blindness. And misplaced priorities and blindness, and misplaced priorities and blindness, and misplaced priorities and self-glorification and rebellion against self-glorification and rebellion against self-glorification and rebellion against God, of those who call good evil and evil god.

Of those who call good evil and evil god of those who call good evil and evil Good, good, good. We're surrounded by it, and truth be told, we're surrounded by it, and truth be told, we're surrounded by it, and truth be told. Sometimes we keep our toes dipped in sometimes we keep our toes dipped in sometimes we keep our toes dipped in that water as well. Following Jesus does not mean following jesus does not mean following jesus does not mean that we will never fail that we will never fail that we will never fail.

It does not mean we won't get hurt. It does not mean we won't get hurt. It does not mean we won't get hurt it. Does not mean that we will not suffer it. Does not mean that we will not suffer it does not mean that we will not suffer loss loss loss. Our friends and our family members die. Our team loses. Our team loses. Our team loses. Our politicians persecute us. Our politicians persecute us. Our politicians persecute us. We fail. We fail to live up to our own we fail we fail to live up to our own we fail we fail to live up to our own expectations.

We fail to fulfill our expectations. We fail to fulfill our expectations. We fail to fulfill our potential potential potential. We suffer from depression. We suffer from depression. We suffer from depression. We make bad decisions. We make bad decisions. We make bad decisions. We give in to the sin that we say we've we. Give in to the sin that we say we've We give in to the sin that we say we've rejected. Rejected rejected. We fail to rule ourselves or society or we fail to rule ourselves or society or we fail to rule ourselves or society or the world.

Wow, I mean, given the brokenness of sin, wow i mean given the brokenness of sin wow i mean given the brokenness of sin that is within us and all around us. That is within us and all around us that is within us and all around us How? Could we not grieve? How could we not grieve? How could we not grieve with a great grief, with a great grief, with a great grief? How could we not be those who mourned? How could we not be those who mourned?

How could we not be those who mourned over the brokenness and the futility, and over the brokenness and the futility, and over the brokenness and the futility, and the vanity of so much human striving, of the vanity of so much human striving, of the vanity of so much human striving, of the wall that we continue to just pound, the wall that we continue to just pound, the wall that we continue to just pound our heads against time after time after our heads against time after time after our heads against time after time after time?

Following Jesus does not mean, following Jesus does not mean, following Jesus does not mean we will not mourn, but it does mean, but it does mean, but it does mean, it does mean that we will mourn. It does mean that we will mourn. It does mean that we will mourn differently, differently, differently. Because of Jesus, Christian disciples are, because of Jesus, Christian disciples are, because of Jesus, Christian disciples are those who understand the wisdom, those who understand the wisdom, those who understand the wisdom in the redemptive power of suffering, in the redemptive power of suffering, in the redemptive power of suffering.

There is wisdom, there is wisdom, there is wisdom in the redemptive power of suffering, and in the redemptive power of suffering, and in the redemptive power of suffering. And Jesus, as the wisdom of God, fulfills all, Jesus, as the wisdom of God, fulfills all, Jesus, as the wisdom of God, fulfills all of the ancient wisdom literature of God, of the ancient wisdom literature of God, of the ancient wisdom literature of God, like the portion that I read earlier in, like the portion that I read earlier in, like the portion that I read earlier in Ecclesiastes chapter seven.

I'll just, Ecclesiastes chapter seven. I'll just, Ecclesiastes chapter seven. I'll just remind you about verse four. Remind you about verse four. Remind you about verse four. The heart of the wise, the heart of the wise, the heart of the wise is in the house of mourning. Is in the House of mourning is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house but the heart of fools is in the house but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. Of mirth of mirth i'll give you a few examples of i'll give you a few examples of i'll give you a few examples of something I think that the scripture's something i think that the scripture's something i think that the scripture's talking about here if you think about talking about here if you think about talking about here.

If you think about what funerals are, what funerals are what funerals are funerals bring us face to face funerals bring us face to face funerals bring us face to face with the reality of death, with the reality of death with the reality of death face to face with our own face to face with our own face to face with our own mortality. Mortality mortality What should happen at a funeral? Funeral what should happen at a funeral funeral what should happen at a funeral funeral should make us humble.

Should make us humble should make us humble they should make us thankful before god they should make us thankful before god They should make us thankful before God, who is the giver of all life. Who is the giver of all life who is the giver of all life when we suffer When we suffer the loss when we suffer when we suffer the loss when we suffer when we suffer the loss of a loved one the extent of that love of a loved one the extent of that love of a loved one, the extent of that love is revealed in the grief that we is revealed in the grief that we is revealed in the grief that we experience.

Experience experience it's like the negative space of mourning it's like the negative space of mourning it's like the negative space of mourning sharpens the focus on that which is sharpens the focus on that which is sharpens the focus on that which is loved it deepens our experience it draws loved it deepens our experience it draws loved. It deepens our experience; it draws us closer to God. It sets everything that... Us closer to god it sets everything that us closer to god it sets Everything that is good and right and was holy and is good and right and was holy and is good and right and was holy and beloved in sharp relief to what we are, beloved in sharp relief to what we are, beloved in sharp relief to what we are feeling at this moment.

And it deepens us, feeling at this moment, and it deepens us, feeling at this moment, and it deepens us and draws us closer to God if we will. And draws us closer to God if we will, and draws us closer to God if we will let the morning have its work. Let the morning have its work, let the morning have its work if we will. Let the grief do what it is, if we will let the grief do what it is, if we will let the grief do what it is supposed to do.

There are too many people supposed to do, there are too many people supposed to do, there are too many people whose whole lives are consumed with whose whole lives are consumed with whose whole lives are consumed with trying to be happy, trying to be happy, trying to be happy and not enough people concerned with, and not enough people concerned with, and not enough people concerned with trying to be, trying to be, trying to be holy. They foolishly attempt to just, holy, they foolishly attempt to just, holy, they foolishly attempt to just avoid all unpleasant trees in life, to avoid all unpleasant trees in life, to avoid all unpleasant trees in life, to avoid them or even deny that they exist, avoid them or even deny that they exist, avoid them or even deny that they exist.

And in so doing, those people end up with, and in so doing, those people end up with, and in so doing, those people end up with a superficial life, a superficial life, a superficial life instead of a real life. That's actually why it's sinful to give, that's actually why it's sinful to give, that's actually why it's sinful to give every child a trophy, every child a trophy, every child a trophy, participation trophies, participation trophies, participation trophies, ridiculous, ridiculous, ridiculous. It's why it's inhumane, it's why it's inhumane, it's why it's inhumane.

It's actually inhumane to tell. It's actually inhumane to tell it's actually Inhumane to tell every young person that you are the every young person that you are the every young person that you are the specialest person in the whole world, and specialest person in the whole world and specialest person in the whole world and if there's any reason you're unhappy, if there's any reason you're unhappy if there's any reason you're unhappy it's somebody else's fault i'm not it's somebody else's fault i'm not it's somebody else's fault.

I'm not saying you don't gather your kids up and saying you don't gather your kids up and saying you don't gather your kids up and say of all the kids in the world you're say of all the kids in the world you're say, "Of all the kids in the world, you're the most special to me, and I love you." the most special to me and i love you the most special to me and i love you with a special Of course, you ought to do with a special of course you ought to do with a special of course you ought to do that that's good and loving parenting that that's good and loving parenting that.

That's good and loving parenting. But making them think that they exist in but making them think that they exist in but making them think that they exist in the world to be pleased the world to be pleased the world to be pleased it's inhumane it's inhumane it's inhumane. There's not someone else to blame. There's not someone else to blame there's not someone else to blame children need to try and to fail children need to try and to fail Children need to try and to fail. They need to try again.

They need to they need to try again they need to they need to try again they need to learn risk and struggle and how to learn risk and struggle and how to learn risk and struggle and how to strive for great things that are not strive for great things that are not strive for great things that are not easy. Easy easy fact of The matter is we all need fact of the matter is we all need fact of the matter is we all need adversity adversity adversity if we expect to grow.

If we expect to grow if we expect to grow we All need adversity if we expect to we all need adversity if we expect to we All need adversity if we expect to grow. You've got to work your muscles to grow you've got to work your muscles to grow you've got to work your muscles to exhaustion before they get big and exhaustion before they get big and exhaustion before they get big and strong and can do the work of life. Strong and can do the work of life strong and can do the work of life And so, godly parents and so godly parents and so godly parents indeed all christian disciples indeed all christian disciples indeed all Christian disciples will remember the wisdom will remember the wisdom will remember the wisdom that is captured for us in uh was it that is captured for us in uh was it that is captured for us in, uh, was it Romans chapter 5?

Romans chapter 5, Romans chapter 5 romans 5, verse 3.. We rejoice we rejoice we rejoice in our sufferings in our sufferings in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces knowing that suffering produces knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces endurance and endurance produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Character and character produces hope character and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame and hope does not put us to shame And hope does not put us to shame because god's love has been poured into because god's love has been poured into because god's love has been poured into our hearts through the holy spirit who our hearts through the holy spirit who our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Has been given to us has been given to us there is both biblical teaching and just there is both biblical teaching and just There is both biblical teaching and just centuries of human experience that show centuries of human experience that show centuries of human experience that show us that suffering is a path us that suffering is a path us that suffering is a path suffering is a path suffering is a path suffering is a path to greater depths of holiness, to greater depths of holiness to greater depths of holiness to greater heights of godliness.

To greater heights of godliness to greater heights of godliness to Greater appreciation and and real to greater appreciation and and real to greater appreciation and and real love of real life, love of real life love of real life suffering and sadness and struggle they suffering and sadness and struggle they suffering and sadness and struggle, they stretch who we are, and they reveal the stretch who we are and they reveal the stretch who we are and they reveal the good they reveal the good that we are good they reveal the good that we are good they reveal the good that we are capable of appreciating capable of appreciating capable of appreciating.

They reveal the good that we are capable they reveal the good that we are capable they reveal the good that we are capable of achieving of achieving of achieving. In the whole human story, it is in the whole human story it is in the whole human story it is challenges and pain and sacrifice that challenges and pain and sacrifice that challenges and pain and sacrifice that have so often been the road to our great have so often been the road to our great have so often been the road to our great achievements in creativity or achievements in creativity or achievements in creativity or exploration or civil rights or human exploration or civil rights or human exploration or civil rights or human compassion compassion compassion.

The missionary Kenneth Bailey reminds us the missionary kenneth bailey reminds us the missionary kenneth bailey reminds us that that that christians christians christians christians are never urged to seek christians are never urged to seek Christians are never urged to seek suffering. Suffering suffering they are however they are however They are, however, encouraged to recognize encouraged to recognize encouraged to recognize that suffering that suffering that suffering is an extraordinary teacher. Is an extraordinary teacher is an extraordinary teacher we know little about the great depths of we know little about the great depths of We know little about the great depths of the human spirit until we have endured the human spirit until we have endured the human spirit until we have endured suffering suffering suffering.

Pain pain pain rearranges rearranges rearranges our priorities. I think that that's part of what it i think that that's part of what it I think that that's part of what it means that mourning means. That mourning Means that mourning is necessary, is necessary, is necessary to the blessed, to the blessed, to the blessed life life life. Blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are those who mourn. They have a better life than those who They have a better life than those who They have a better life than those who have never known adversity have never known adversity have never known adversity.

It is richer, it is richer, it is richer, fuller with more wisdom, and fuller with more wisdom, and fuller with more wisdom. And paradoxically, paradoxically, paradoxically with more with more with more joy, joy, joy. Because those who have mourned, because those who have mourned, because those who have mourned know, know, know what it means. Of course, all of that, of course, all of that, of course, all of that is meditating on the issue of mourning, is meditating on the issue of mourning, is meditating on the issue of mourning itself, itself, itself.

And the Master taught us that. And the Master taught us that. And the Master taught us that. Blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are those who mourn, for, for, for, or because, or because, or because they shall be comforted. What He said was they shall be comforted. What He said was they shall be comforted. What He said was blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall, for they shall, for they shall be comforted, be comforted, be comforted.

The word for comfort literally means, the word for comfort literally means, the word for comfort literally means to come alongside, to come alongside, to come alongside, to come alongside. That's how the ancient to come alongside that's how the ancient to come alongside that's how the ancient Greeks conceived of comforting, as family, Greeks conceived of comforting, as family, Greeks conceived of comforting, as family, or a friend, or a compassionate soul, or a friend, or a compassionate soul, or a friend, or a compassionate soul coming up and sitting by your side, or coming up and sitting by your side, or coming up and sitting by your side, or walking along with you, walking along with you, walking along with you, helping you to get over the next.

Helping you to get over the Next, helping you to get over the next obstacle and supporting you as you do so. Obstacle and supporting you as you do so obstacle and supporting you as you do so God is not somebody who comes and and god is not somebody who comes and and god is not somebody who comes and and pats your knee and says they're there. Pats your knee and says they're there pats your knee and says they're there Now, now now you'll get over it you'll get over it you'll get over it, or still less, quit your crying and be a or still less quit your crying and be a or still less quit your crying and be a man man man.

And certainly not, and certainly not and certainly not look don't be sad look don't be sad look, don't be sad. Put the grief away, try to have some put the grief away try to have some put the grief away try to have some faith. Faith faith no no no no the lord god almighty is someone who no the lord god almighty is someone who No, the Lord God Almighty is someone who comes alongside, comes alongside comes alongside and he knows and he knows and he knows he knows better than anyone what the he knows better than anyone what the he knows better than anyone what the situation is situation is situation is.

He knows better than you how much you he knows better than you how much you he knows better than you how much you hurt how you have been brought low and hurt how you have been brought low and hurt, how you have been brought low, and he does not say fake it till you make it. He does not say fake it till you make it he does not say fake it till you make it he dwells he dwells he dwells with with with you you you he calls you he calls you.

He calls you by name. By name by name He lets you cry he lets you cry he lets you cry on his shoulder on his shoulder on his shoulder, and when the time is right, he says, and when the time is right he says and when the time is right he says come now come now "Come now, let's get up together." let's Get up together. Let's get up together and do the next thing. I know you don't and do the next thing i know you don't and do the next thing i know you don't feel like you can do it alone feel like you can do it alone feel like you can do it alone, but I am here with you.

But i am here with you but i am here with you Come now, come now come now let us do it together let us do it together let us do it together. When we are hurting, when we are hurting when we are hurting we will be blessed we will be blessed we will be blessed by the presence of God the Father, by the presence of god the father by the presence of god the father and that and that and that is is is blessed. How do i know how do i know how do i know how do i know that that's what he means how do i know that that's what he means How do I know that that's what He means?

How do I know that what i've said is is how do i know that what i've said is is how do i know that what i've said is is more than just some hopeful rhetoric in more than just some hopeful rhetoric in more than just some hopeful rhetoric in some kind of religious fantasy? Some kind of religious fantasy some kind of religious fantasy how do i know that this is true how do i know that this is true How do I know that this is true?

It's because i've seen Jesus. You have to you have to you have to born like us born like us born like us, lived like us lived like us lived like us loved like us cried like us died like us loved like us cried like us died like us, loved like us, cried like us, died like us. Jesus has come alongside. Jesus has come alongside jesus has come alongside jesus is our comfort. Jesus is our comfort jesus is our comfort jesus has said behold i am with you he jesus has said behold i am with you he Jesus has said, "Behold, I am with you."

He has said, "I am preparing a place for you." has said i Am preparing a place for you, has said, "I am preparing a place for you." he's saying, "I am coming again," so that we he's saying i am coming again so that we he's saying i am coming again so that we can do the next thing together. Can do the next thing together can do the next thing together jesus is resurrected so that we know jesus is resurrected so that we know Jesus is resurrected so that we know that we will one day be resurrected with that we will one day be resurrected with that we will one day be resurrected with Him.

Him him and that future resurrected life that and that future resurrected life that And that future resurrected life, that Zoe life, zoe life zoe life that is something that transforms our that is something that transforms our that is something that transforms our living living living right now. Right now right now comfort is the gospel comfort is comfort is the gospel comfort is Comfort is the gospel. Comfort is resurrection life with Jesus, resurrection life with jesus resurrection life with jesus and that also and that also and that also is blessed is blessed is blessed, which is why I think the Apostle Paul which is why i think the apostle paul which is why i think the apostle paul wrote wrote wrote in Second Corinthians second corinthians in second corinthians second corinthians in second corinthians second corinthians chapter 1, chapter 1 chapter 1 blessed be blessed be "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus the god and father of our lord jesus the god and father of our lord jesus christ christ Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all the father of mercies and god of all the father of mercies and god of all comfort, comfort comfort who comforts us in all our affliction who comforts us in all our affliction who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those so that we may be able to comfort those so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction who are in any affliction who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves with the comfort with which we ourselves with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Are comforted by God. Are comforted by God. If Jesus is our comfort, if Jesus is our comfort, if Jesus is our comfort, and if His disciples are supposed to be, and if His disciples are supposed to be, and if His disciples are supposed to be like Him, like Him, like Him, well then we, well then we, well then we should be comforters of others, should be comforters of others, should be comforters of others as well. All right, preacher, that's good, but how? All right, preacher, that's good, but how?

All right, preacher, that's good, but how can we do that? Can we do that? Can we do that? Because, I mean, after all, because, I mean, after all, because, I mean, after all, Jesus was perfect. Jesus was perfect. Jesus was perfect, and we are obviously not. Okay, i'll grant you that. Okay, i'll grant you that. Okay, i'll grant you that. But Jesus also said that He would send, but Jesus also said that He would send, but Jesus also said that He would send the Holy Spirit to be our comforter.

You, the Holy Spirit to be our comforter. You, the Holy Spirit to be our comforter. You remember that from John 16? Remember that from John 16? Remember that from John 16? That He will send the Holy Spirit to be, that He will send the Holy Spirit to be, that He will send the Holy Spirit to be your comforter. If you are a Christian, your comforter. If you are a Christian, your comforter. If you are a Christian, then you are a, then you are a, then you are a pneumaticos.

You guys remember that back, pneumaticos? You guys remember that back, pneumaticos? You guys remember that back last year from First Corinthians? You are last year from First Corinthians. You are last year from First Corinthians. You are a pneumaticos. You are empowered a pneumaticos. You are empowered a pneumaticos. You are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do what God has by the Holy Spirit to do what God has by the Holy Spirit to do what God has called you to do, called you to do, called you to do, to be the people that God has called you to be, the people that God has called you to be, the people that God has called you to.

Be that not yet has become the to be that not yet has become the to be that not yet has become the already in the disciples of Jesus. Already in the disciples of Jesus. Already in the disciples of Jesus. The all the not yet has become the. The all the not yet has become the. The all the not yet has become the already in the disciples of Jesus. Already in the disciples of Jesus. Already in the disciples of Jesus. And that too. And that too. And that too is blessed.

Is blessed. Is blessed. It's blessed. It's blessed. It's blessed. And so. And so. And so, my brothers and sisters. My brothers and sisters. My brothers and sisters. Disciples of Jesus. Disciples of Jesus. Disciples of Jesus. Family of the faith. Family of the faith. Family of the faith. Live like it. Live like it. Live like it. Live, live, live the blessed life. Receive the comfort of the blessed life. Receive the comfort of the blessed life. Receive the comfort of God the Father. God the Father. God the Father.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the Son. By in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son. By in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son. By the power of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit. Identify those people in your life who. Identify those people in your life who. Identify those people in your life who need help. Need help. Need help. Who need a friend. Who need a friend. Who need a friend. Who needs some genuine human kindness.

Who needs some genuine human kindness. Who needs some genuine human kindness. Who just needs some encouragement. Who just needs some encouragement. Who just needs some encouragement. And be the hands and feet of Jesus. And be the hands and feet of Jesus. And be the hands and feet of Jesus. Do what you have been called to do. Do what you have been called to do. Do what you have been called to do. And, and, and comfort, comfort, comfort them. Them, them. Comfort, comfort, comfort them. Them, them.

And invite them. And invite them. And invite them. Invite them to come alongside of you. Invite them to come alongside of you. Invite them to come alongside of you. And experience. And experience. And Experience this real life, this real life, this real life that we share, that we share, that we share with Jesus Christ, with Jesus Christ, with Jesus Christ. The Jesus who said, the Jesus who said, the Jesus who said, "Blessed are those who mourn, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are those who mourn, for they shall, for they shall, for they shall shall shall shall be comforted, be comforted, be comforted."

Let us pray. Almighty Father God, Almighty Father God, Almighty Father God, our great and glorious God in heaven, we do not enjoy thinking about sadness. We do not enjoy thinking about sadness. We do not enjoy thinking about sadness. We do not enjoy, we do not enjoy, we do not enjoy thinking about the brokenness of the thinking about the brokenness of the thinking about the brokenness of the world, the sinfulness that world the sinfulness that world the sinfulness that that disrupts everything and that disrupts everything and that disrupts everything and makes life a shadow, just a fuzzy image of what it's supposed just a fuzzy image of what it's supposed just a fuzzy image of what it's suppose